One in every 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives, according to the Danny Did Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the disease.

The Bezold family of Jackson is one family affected by epilepsy. Julie Bezold said her son Nick first began showing signs of the disease in second grade.

"He would just zone out," she said. "I would be like, 'Why aren't you looking at me? I'm talking to you.'"

Julie said a pediatrician recognized the zoning out as seizures and a possible sign of epilepsy and sent Nick to Vanderbilt for tests. He was placed on high doses of medication that altered his behavior and personality.

Julie said that was a struggle for her.

"(The drugs) had an effect on him cognitively and emotionally," she said. "The doctors want to stop the seizures, but I still want my child to have quality of life."

She said she tried to find support groups, but could not find anything in the area. Soon, she decided to start raising awareness so people at least knew what the disease was.

"That's when people started coming out of the woodwork," Julie said.

She began organizing the Purple Way 5K each year to raise awareness and funds, and each year more people participated.

Julie said she wants people to know that people with epilepsy are not contagious, they are courageous. She said there is a lot of fear that comes with epilepsy because it can be unpredictable.

She used to be afraid to leave Nick alone because he might have a seizure. She said Nick taught her not to think like that.

"When he was 13, he told me, 'I don't have to worry because God's got me,'" Julie said. "If he can think like that at age 13, I need to let go of that, too."

Julie said Nick has always loved sports, and he continues to play — and play well. He is a starter on the Madison Academic Magnet High School soccer team that advanced to the state quarterfinals this spring.

Julie said epilepsy prevents Nick from being able to drive and do other things that kids his age do, but it does not prevent him from being himself.

Julie said her family has learned to manage the seizures. Nick has an alarm under his mattress that will alert them if he has a seizure in the night, and they know how to deal with them.

She said viruses and sleep deprivation tend to be triggers for Nick, and keeping a good routine, resting and staying hydrated help prevent episodes.

"We take it one day at a time," Julie said.

She said it's important to remain calm when someone is having a seizure. Move things away from them and protect their head, but do not try to restrain them, she said.

"There are tons of resources out there," she said. "No one should ever feel alone."

The Bezolds are now ambassadors for the Danny Did Foundation, and they share their story around Tennessee to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

Tom Stanton, Danny Did Foundation executive director, said the Bezolds are making an impact through their efforts.

"Nick has tremendous athletic talent, and his family utilizes sports to elevate awareness of a disease that needs more attention and more progress," Stanton said in a news release. "They are an inspiration to our cause and to many families."

For more information on epilepsy and the Danny Did Foundation, visit www.dannydid.org.